New Jersey Reverse Sales Tax Calculator
New Jersey has a 6.625% state sales tax with virtually no local additions — making it one of the simpler states for tax calculations. The effective average is actually slightly below the state rate (around 6.60%) because Salem County has a reduced rate of 3.3125% to help it compete with neighboring Delaware, which has no sales tax at all.
For most of New Jersey, the rate you need is 6.625%. Jersey City, Newark, Trenton, Princeton, the whole state — it's all 6.625% unless you're specifically in Salem County. The calculator defaults to 6.60% to account for the Salem County average, but if you're not there, just enter 6.625% for a precise result.
Current New Jersey Sales Tax Rates
| Component | Rate |
|---|---|
| State rate | 6.625% |
| Average local rate | -0.03% |
| Average combined rate | 6.60% |
| Location | Combined Rate |
|---|---|
| Newark | 6.625% |
| Jersey City | 6.625% |
| Trenton | 6.625% |
| Camden | 6.625% |
| Salem County | 3.3125% |
What's Taxable in New Jersey
New Jersey exempts groceries (most unprepared food) from sales tax. Clothing under $110 per item is also exempt — a broader exemption than most states. Prescription and over-the-counter medications are exempt. Prepared food and restaurant meals are taxable. New Jersey notably exempts most clothing, which can make receipt math confusing on mixed shopping trips.
Worked Example
You purchased computer equipment in Newark for a home office. Total: $193.27 at 6.625%.
$193.27 ÷ 1.06625 = $181.28 (pre-tax price)
$193.27 − $181.28 = $11.99 (tax amount)
That's $11.99 in sales tax on a $181.28 purchase before tax. The main calculator handles this automatically — enter the total and select your rate, and the pre-tax price and tax amount appear instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
The standard New Jersey sales tax rate is 6.625% statewide. There is no local sales tax, so this rate applies everywhere in the state except Salem County, which charges 3.3125% — exactly half the state rate. For nearly all purchases in NJ, divide your total by 1.06625 to find the pre-tax price.
Most clothing under $110 per item is exempt from New Jersey sales tax. This is a more generous exemption than most states — it's not limited to school supplies or a specific weekend. Formal wear, everyday clothing, shoes — if the item is under $110, it's generally tax-free. Items over $110 are taxable on the full amount, not just the portion above $110.
Most unprepared food (groceries) is exempt from New Jersey sales tax. Prepared food — restaurant meals, food sold in heated form, sandwiches — is taxable at 6.625%. Candy and soft drinks are generally taxable. Prescription drugs and most over-the-counter medicines are exempt.
Salem County borders Delaware, which has zero sales tax. To help Salem County businesses compete with Delaware retailers, New Jersey created a reduced rate of 3.3125% (half the normal state rate) for Salem County. Shoppers in that county pay significantly less tax, which helps keep retail businesses from losing customers across the state border.